Issue #64: Language Matters
Joining the dots - Unnatural disasters are hurting us, right now
Cyclone Alfred has passed, leaving a mix of outcomes for people in Qld’s south-east and NSW’s northern rivers. I escaped relatively unscathed; close friends in Brisbane’s Bardon suburb had a large tree smash through their home. Hopefully, dear reader, you are ok.
The Climate Council puts it very simply:
Climate pollution has made Cyclone Alfred more intense and destructive.
Climate change has made our oceans hotter which is driving more ferocious and destructive cyclones.
The risk of flooding damage from Tropical Cyclone Alfred is greater due to climate change.
Cyclone Alfred is tracking further south than cyclones usually do in Australia.
Climate pollution is driving more ferocious and costly extreme weather events.
Why aren’t we taking more action more quickly to combat climate change? Why do so many folk not understand that the weather disasters are no longer simply “natural”?
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I recently came across research1 that suggests a large percentage of people still have not connected the dots from extreme weather… to …climate change.
While more than 80% of respondents had personally experienced extreme weather, only 16% said it poses a “high risk” to their community over the next ten years.
People are noticing and experiencing weather changes, but they don’t see it as a personal threat.
Worse, half of respondents think that the increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather events is caused by "natural changes" rather than "carbon pollution".
Together, these results suggest that people are not connecting the dots between carbon pollution, climate change, and changes in extreme weather.
To increase support for action on climate change, we must build public understanding that the increase in extreme weather is not natural.
Furthermore, the research shows that people are less likely to associate ‘wet’ events such as rain, runoff and flooding from Cyclone Alfred with climate change.
The research suggests four principles to accelerate action:
1. Extreme weather is the symptom. Fossil fuel pollution is the cause.
Saying “unnatural disasters” rather than “extreme weather” is twice as effective at shifting the focus to fossil fuels.
2. It’s not about a distant future. It’s hurting us right here, right now.
Future-looking projections are largely unconvincing and make impacts feel distant. What most resonates is the damage being done today.
3. It’s not about “the weather.” It’s about people.
Real stories, such as this one from Rebecca, beat traditional scientific and financial arguments.
4. It’s not about individual actions. It’s about joining together to demand policy change.
When the problem is reframed as a 'pollution' problem, people become willing to make bolder demands.
These principles emphasise that fossil fuel pollution causes unnatural disasters that are impacting real people right now; and it’s time to join together to demand policy change.
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Language matters.
Here’s some tips you can use when you talk to others to build support for climate action.
Say LESS OF THIS —> MORE OF THIS
100-year storms —> Billion-dollar severe storms have increased 20-fold
Greenhouse emissions —> Fossil fuel pollution, carbon pollution
Decarbonise —> Reduce pollution
Heat wave —> Dangerous heat, unsafe heat, deadly heat
Extreme weather —> Extreme storms, crushing heat, severe drought
Unseasonable —> Unnatural
Natural disasters —> Unnatural disasters
So, armed with this new language, keep sending your emails to our politicians, keep writing submissions, and keep having good conversations. With an election imminent, there's plenty to do!
ALERT - HAPPENING REAL SOON - For Cairns residents: a forum happening Wednesday 18th March and in Brisbane, several community events coming soon. See our 30 minute actions.
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes:
The Federal Coalition has announced they would “approve a bucket load of gas”, massively expanding the polluting gas industry off our coasts (reported in The Australian on 25 Feb, but I will spare you that paywalled link). This policy will allow pre-approval of Woodside’s gas processing plant on the Burrup Peninsula; fast-track offshore gas drilling approvals; and release new gas exploration permits across Australia’s coastlines.
Action: Send this pre-written letter to your Qld Federal Coalition Senate representatives. As usual, you can tailor it with your own words.
Coal, oil and gas companies have known for decades that their products would lead to devastating climate impacts. Instead of changing course – they delayed climate action, spread misinformation, and prioritised their profits, with ordinary people left to foot the bill. Join Greenpeace to demand fossil fuel companies take responsibility for the destruction they've caused – because polluters should pay, not everyday people.
Action: Sign the petition to Prime Minister Albanese and governments around the world.
As communities were cleaning up after Cyclone Alfred, the Qld Coalition Government quietly scrapped the Queensland Law Reform Commission’s review to strengthen community objection rights. Much to the delight of the Qld Resources Council! These are dangerous warning signs that the right of farmers, Traditional Owners and communities to object to damaging projects is under threat.
Action: Sign Lock the Gate's petition asking the government to commit to retaining the rights of Qld landholders and communities to object to mining and gas projects.
Thanks to folk like you, 65 federal election candidates have now pledged their support for clean energy solutions that cut the cost of living! Can you ask candidates in your area to join them?
Action: Ask your Federal election candidates to commit to reduce the cost of energy and protect homes, schools and early childhood centres from extreme heat by supporting access to cheap energy powered by solar and batteries.
🐇 If you have 15 minutes:
Ipswich residents: Ipswich City Council wants to know how you fared during Cyclone Alfred, to better understand the impact on community and guide recovery efforts. Even if you were not physically affected, I reckon you could write about the emotional impact.
Action: Access The City of Ipswich Disaster Dashboard, look for the “TC Alfred - Community Damage Self-Assessment” banner.
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more:
Cairns residents. tomorrow! Wed 19th March. Meet Candidates for the Federal seat of the Leichhardt at Reef, Climate & Energy Forum, sponsored by Qld Conservation Council, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Divers for Climate, and Cairns and Far North Environment Centre. Long time sitting Federal LNP MP Warren Entsch is retiring, so this election is wide open. Hear the candidates views on how to lower energy costs, strengthen disaster resilience, and protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Action: Wed 19 Mar 5:30pm for a 6pm start, at Hemingway’s Brewery, Cairns. Enjoy some free pizza. Get your free ticket.
Whether you experienced the worst of Alfred or got off relatively unscathed, the last week has been emotionally and physically exhausting. Stand in solidarity and hear from cyclone survivors as they share their stories and call for more government action on climate change and community resilience funding.
Action: This Thursday 20 March 10am, Speakers' Corner (cnr George and Alice Sts) Parliament House. RSVP or just turn up. You’re invited to bring any personal items that have been flood damaged to add to the pile.
While Australia leads the world in rooftop solar uptake, 60 percent of us are missing out - especially people who rent, live in apartments or in social housing. Solar Citizens is partnering with Renew Australia for All to promote the Solar Savings for all Campaign. Join their free community barbecue, powered from the sun via electric vehicles.
Action: Sat 22 March, 10am -1pm, Glindemann Park, Holland Park (across from Lawn Street, between Seville Road and Oates Avenue). Let them know you are coming so they can cater for everyone.
Qld forests and bushland are being bulldozed at an alarming rate. The Government promised to strengthen Australia’s nature laws, yet Australians have seen little action. The Wilderness Society and QCC is hosting a Community Forum to learn from experts & local campaigners about the devastating impacts of deforestation in Qld. This is your chance to speak with political candidates, ask questions, and challenge them on their commitments to protecting nature.
Action: Wednesday 26 March 6:30pm - 8pm at Yeronga Community Centre, 62 Park Rd, Yeronga. Please RSVP to attend.
It’s been heartening to see the community response to Cyclone Alfred. Neighbours pulling together to stay in touch before, during and after the cyclone.
If we look at the track record of governments - continued support for fossil fuel projects, band-aid mitigation and recovery efforts - it’s clear that WE need to build the power to save ourselves!
Read this helpful guide for ways you can create your own neighbourhood support group.
And if you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or even powerless in the face of the climate crisis - you’re not alone, as more than three-quarters of Australians feel the same way. The Climate Council’s mental health disaster recovery resources may help you find the support you need during this difficult time.
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action.
See you in two weeks - Ron
plus Malcolm, Robyn and Jan - The Climate Club Qld team
We live, work and play on the lands of the Yuggara and Turrbal people in and around Magandjin - Brisbane. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded - always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
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Research: Nearly 72,000 Americans were questioned from April to June, 2024. An Australian equivalent is unlikely to be markedly different. Thanks to Moira from Move Beyond Coal for drawing my attention to the research and thanks to Potential Energy Coalition for making the research freely available.
A powerful message!.
Worth passing on to sympathetic Politicians to urge them to start talking about "unnatural" disasters